Hong Kong’s 2026 EV Roadmap: What It Means for Existing Drivers

🚗 Hong Kong has updated its Roadmap on the Popularisation of Electric Vehicles (EVs), confirming the target to cease new registration of fuel-propelled private cars (including hybrids) by 2035 or earlier, and to achieve zero vehicular emissions before 2050. For existing drivers – especially those still owning petrol or hybrid cars – what does this actually mean in practice? This article explains the latest Hong Kong EV roadmap 2026 and what it could mean for resale values, running costs and motor insurance.

1️⃣ Key points of Hong Kong’s 2026 EV roadmap

• The Government reaffirms its goal to stop new registration of fuel-propelled private cars (including hybrids) by 2035 or earlier.
• The broader objective is zero vehicular emissions before 2050, in line with Hong Kong’s carbon neutrality target.
• Official projections suggest that by 2030 EV private cars could exceed 290,000, and approach 500,000 by 2035, meaning EVs will become the mainstream private car type well before the petrol new-car cut-off.
• A separate Green Transformation Roadmap for public buses and taxis pushes operators to adopt electric or other new energy vehicles on a clear timetable, so the entire street scene gradually electrifies.

In short, this is not just talk: Hong Kong has a defined timeline to shift its vehicle fleet from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles and other low-emission technologies.

2️⃣ Existing petrol / hybrid car owners: will you be forced to scrap your car?

First, an important clarification: the 2035 target is about ceasing new registrations of fuel-propelled private cars. It does not mean the Government will suddenly force all existing petrol cars off the road on that date.

• Existing owners can continue using their cars as long as they pass inspections, renew licences, and maintain valid motor insurance.
• However, as the EV share rises and policy tools evolve, future measures such as low-emission zones, congestion or road pricing, and parking policies could gradually make older ICE (internal combustion engine) cars less attractive to operate.

The real question for many drivers is: will your next car still be petrol, or is it time to plan a switch to an EV to match Hong Kong’s EV policy direction?

3️⃣ Resale value: the “last generation petrol car” risk

Because new-car policy clearly favours electric vehicles, one of the biggest impacts for current petrol / hybrid car owners is on future resale value.

• As 2035 comes closer and EVs become standard, used-car buyers are more likely to prefer EVs or newer hybrids over older pure-petrol models.
• The extended “One-for-One Replacement Scheme”, which offers first registration tax concessions for EVs when scrapping an eligible old car, now runs to March 31, 2026 and encourages owners to replace existing petrol cars with EVs earlier to save tax.
• If many owners switch under this scheme, demand for older ICE models could soften, creating downward pressure on residual values for some petrol cars.

If you own an ageing petrol car and plan to sell it in three to five years, it’s wise to factor in policy-driven depreciation on top of normal wear and tear.

4️⃣ Running costs: petrol vs electricity, maintenance and parking

Another key question for Hong Kong drivers is whether an EV is cheaper to run than a traditional petrol car.

• Fuel vs electricity: On a per-kilometre basis, electricity is generally cheaper than petrol in Hong Kong, especially for higher-mileage drivers.
• Maintenance: EVs have fewer moving parts – no engine oil changes or gearboxes – but tyres and brakes still wear, and battery or high-voltage component repairs can be expensive if not properly insured or warranted.
• Charging infrastructure: The updated EV roadmap targets a large increase in both private/residential and public charging points, including in housing estates, commercial buildings and public car parks, reducing “range anxiety”.
• Parking space value: Car parks that are EV-ready or already equipped with chargers may become more attractive in the market compared with traditional spaces without wiring provisions.

Overall, high-mileage drivers are most likely to feel a clear running-cost advantage with EVs, while lower-mileage owners need to weigh upfront purchase price, tax incentives and long-term policy trends.

5️⃣ Motor insurance: how EVs differ from traditional cars

As electric vehicles become more common, insurers are adjusting product design and pricing.

• Different risk profile: EVs involve high-voltage batteries, power electronics and charging equipment, so certain types of damage can be costlier to repair than on conventional cars.
• EV-specific cover: Some products now specifically cover traction batteries, home or public chargers, charging cables, and third-party property damage caused by charging incidents.
• Safety and claims data: Over time, if EVs benefit from more advanced driver-assistance systems and show different accident or injury patterns, insurers may adjust the relative pricing of EV vs petrol cars.

For existing petrol drivers, this doesn’t mean premiums will suddenly become unaffordable, but you should expect the relative premium gap between EVs and ICE vehicles to evolve as data and policy incentives change.

6️⃣ Charging vs refuelling: convenience is shifting

In the short term, petrol stations will still be widely available, but long-term infrastructure planning is clearly shifting toward charging networks.

• New developments and major renovations increasingly allocate space and capacity for EV chargers, while older car parks without EV readiness may become less attractive over time.
• Government programmes support installation of chargers in residential estates, which is crucial for owners who want to charge at home.
• Petrol infrastructure will not vanish overnight, but the city will gradually be optimised around EV usage rather than traditional refuelling.

If you intend to keep a petrol car for several more years, it’s worth checking whether your building or usual car parks have plans to add charging – this can affect your future flexibility and property value if you later switch to an EV or sell the parking space.

7️⃣ Practical next steps for existing drivers in 2026

If you are an existing petrol or hybrid driver in Hong Kong, consider these practical steps in light of the 2026 EV roadmap:

• Plan your next replacement cycle: Decide how many more years you realistically want to keep your current car, and whether your next vehicle will still be ICE or your first EV.
• Assess the One-for-One Replacement Scheme: Check how the current tax concession for EVs under the scheme affects your budget and timing if you are considering a change.
• Review your motor insurance: Understand how your current policy treats EVs versus petrol cars, and what extra cover (battery, charger, roadside assistance) you would need if you switch.
• Monitor infrastructure and policy updates: Keep an eye on charging roll-outs, potential low-emission zones, congestion charges and parking policy changes, as these will directly influence your total cost of ownership.

💡 In summary, Hong Kong’s 2026 EV roadmap is not about forcing every petrol car off the road overnight. It is about using the next decade or so to make electric vehicles the default choice. For existing drivers, the key is to understand the timeline, anticipate how it affects your car’s value and running costs, and plan your next move – whether that means keeping your current car a bit longer or timing your switch to an EV to take advantage of incentives.